Oh joy!

Thank you SO MUCH for helping me get my long-awaited for machine out of layaway!!  I'm really enjoying it and scrambling to get everybody's orders out (with Trash Ties!).  I have 3 listings that will be ending tomorrow and then on Friday I will draw the winning bidder (and there were a lot) who will receive a pretty new outfit for their little gal made from my sweet stash of Freshcut fabrics.  I will contact the winner and announce it here (I'm so darn excited!).

Here's a sample of what my machine can do.  I ran out of bobbin thread on my first try (that embroidery really uses the thread doesn't it?), but apparently it's a message from God telling me I will be getting a new Mac soon too (dontcha think?)!   Woohooty!

Here's a picture of my old machine and all it's stitches.  I know this picture is dark but the machine really is yellow now (why can't things turn a sweet shade of pink when they age?).  It was white when I bought it 16 years ago. 

Here are all the stitches on my new machine.  Oh man!  I just look at it and start chewing on the heel of my hand like Lenny and Squiggy did whenever a pretty girl walked by!  I swear I'm fighting back tears here.

Here are a couple of my favorite features (if I have to pick just a couple). 

I just love this little threader!  See the little hook that goes through the eye of the needle and grabs the thread?!  Oh my (chewing on heel of hand here).  When I bought my last machine I had the sharp eyes of a 26 year old.  Now I keep a pair of granny glasses nearby for closeup work so this little gadget makes me mucho happy.

And I love this nifty lever. It raises and lowers the foot so I can keep both hands free to move my fabric around. It takes a little bit of coordination but my brain is starting to put it all together.

My goal is to really figure this baby out this year and make some beautiful things with it.  I might actually make something for my own kids (they've been begging long enough).  And now they can have my old machine which means they don't have to take turns on my back-up machine anymore.

Oh, and FYI, this machine is an Elna 6600 Quilter's Dream (I don't quilt yet but when I do I guess I'll be ready).  I paid 1350.00 (plus tax) for it but I think the dealer may have knocked a little off since this is my second machine I bought from him this year.  I'll be sure to give reviews on it through the year.

Thank you all so much for helping me buy this great machine!  It's really a huge blessing to me and it was great to pay for something with money I've earned (I've been out of a job since my nearly-16-year-old was born, ha!).  Happy 2008!

Comments

[Kelci-Crafty Mama]

Yay for you Jona! Doesn't it feel nice to spoil yourself once in a while? And I know you deserve it. I just ordered myself some expensive Bare Minerals makeup and haven't been this excited about anything in years (ok, excluding the birth of my children).

[Heather]

What a cool machine? Can't wait to see the beauties you create with this baby!

[Diana]

Jona, Congratulations on your new machine. She's a beauty! I can't wait to see the lovely things you'll create together. Enjoy!

[Robbin]

Yay for you!! I am so happy for you. I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

[Kelly]

Wow, that's really great! I'm so happy for you. How FUN!

[mom]

i'm really happy that you have your new machine finally. from the looks of things you need a college degree just to figure it out but i especially like the auto threader on it. i really love my personalized apron you made for me and will put in a future order when you are through with all your dresses on ebay hopefully before this machine turns yellow.

[krystenl]

wow congrats! i just got a new crafty toy myself, it's on my blog if ya wanna see. a little in the other direction from yours however... ;-)

and i used to LOVE that show! i used to call it Vern and Shirzee. ok, so i was like three, sorry.

[JennyT]

Hi,
Jona, not sure if you remember me but I found your blog from Krysten's. I got my very first sewing machine for Christmas and will be looking to you for inspiration. I won't be able to do any of it but I will be inspired.

[Heather]

WOW that is a beautiful machine! Have so much fun playing and learning and sewing :) :) Happy New Year!

[Chris]

Hi Jona,

Congrats on your new sewing machine !! I so want to buy a new one as well (my sewing machine is of the simple and maddening type), but have to choose if I want to visit CA again or rather want to buy a new sewing machine. Tough decision :O/

Have fun playing with this beautiful machine !!!